The Italian opted to put Robert Green between the sticks for the opening clash with the USA, but it proved a disastrous call as the West Ham shot-stopper was guilty of a horrific clanger to let a long-range Clint Dempsey strike slip through his hands.

With David James and Joe Hart waiting in the wings, Green now faces an uncertain few days before knowing who will make the starting line-up against the North Africans.

Capello refused to blame Green after his error, but admits he is undecided on who to select for the next game.

"Goalkeepers make mistakes. This is part of football," he said. "You have to accept that, just the same as you do with a referee or a striker.

"I decided on Green because he played very well in the last game against Platinum Stars and also against Mexico at Wembley, and in the second half last night he played very well and made a really important save.

"But a mistake remains a mistake.

"Now I have to speak with him, then I will decide what to do."

England took the lead in Rustenburg after an early goal from Steven Gerrard, but Dempsey's fortunate effort levelled the scores and neither side could find a winner.

Positive

The race to qualify from Group C remains wide open but Capello was not downhearted after the opening game.

"I saw the spirit of England and the spirit of the team," he added

"I saw that they fought every time to win back the ball.

"Also I am not worried about the physical condition of the players because we ran a lot.

"Overall I am very happy with the performance of the team. Only the result was not good.

"But we are in a good moment and I think in the next game will be better."